Enel Deploys Over 6,000 Sheep on Texas Solar Farms in Largest U.S. Solar Grazing Contract

Enel North America, a leader in clean energy, has announced a groundbreaking agreement to deploy over 6,000 sheep for vegetation management across eight solar farms in Texas. This initiative marks the largest solar grazing contract in the United States to date. Partnering with Texas Solar Sheep Co., a family-run business specializing in vegetation management for large solar installations, Enel aims to enhance sustainable practices in renewable energy.

The agreement will see Texas Solar Sheep Co. managing over 10,100 acres of solar land with their flock, an area nearly equivalent to 75% of Manhattan. According to the American Solar Grazing Association, this is one of the most significant single contracts for dual-use solar in the country, highlighting a growing trend towards integrating agriculture with renewable energy production. Currently, about 100,000 acres of solar sites are grazed in the U.S., based on recent survey data.

Marcus Krembs, Head of External Relations and Sustainability at Enel North America, expressed enthusiasm about the initiative, stating, “Enel’s record-breaking collaboration with Texas Solar Sheep is an exciting step forward for sustainable dual-use solar practices. By prioritizing sheep grazing for land management, we demonstrate how solar and agriculture can coexist while ensuring optimal performance of our solar facilities. Additionally, our sheep grazing commitment supports ecosystem services and the local economy.”

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) supports this approach, noting that combining solar power generation with livestock grazing can enhance soil health, improve water efficiency, and reduce operational costs. These benefits align with Enel’s commitment to “agrivoltaics,” the practice of co-locating solar panels with agricultural activities to maximize land use and environmental benefits.

JR Howard, owner of Texas Solar Sheep Co., commented on the partnership, saying, “We’re proud to partner with Enel North America on one of the biggest agrivoltaics programs in the US. We applaud Enel’s commitment to dual land use solar facilities and look forward to expanding Texas agriculture along with solar energy production in the state.”

Enel’s existing solar grazing program has already demonstrated significant improvements in soil health, with some sites seeing over 200% increases in organic matter. The grazing sheep also support pollinator-friendly habitats by allowing native plants to mature and bloom, which is often not possible with traditional mowing methods. This innovative approach also provides a new revenue stream for local sheep herders, benefiting the local economy.

Kevin Richardson, Outreach Director at the American Solar Grazing Association, praised Enel’s initiative, stating, “The American Solar Grazing Association is excited to see Enel carry the momentum forward on dual-use solar with their strong commitment to solar sheep grazing. Solar grazing is at the forefront of a booming agrivoltaics industry, and we are seeing more and more leaders in the solar industry investing in long-lasting partnerships with farmers and creating new opportunities for American agriculture.”

As the U.S. solar industry is set to add 36.4 GW of utility-scale solar capacity by the end of 2024, Enel’s innovative collaboration is expected to set a new standard for responsible land management and sustainable energy production in the solar sector, particularly as Texas continues to lead the nation in solar power operation.